News

Dec 26, 2023

GoLocalProv

Monday, January 02, 2023 GoLocalProv News Team View Larger + Market Basket label

Monday, January 02, 2023

GoLocalProv News Team

View Larger +

Market Basket label over label - the top one had a higher price and protracted sell-by date. PHOTO: Phoenix

Simone Phoenix said she simply wanted to pick up a dessert for her family to enjoy on New Year's Eve.

She told GoLocal she went to the new Market Basket in Johnston on Saturday to purchase a cheesecake, and when she went to serve it that night — she was in for a surprise.

Phoenix went to peel back the label on the packaging to open it, which showed the price at $15.49 with a sell-by date of January 7, 2023.

View Larger +

Market Basket's original label - and earlier sell-by date and lower price. PHOTO: Phoenix

That one had the cheesecake price at $13.49 and a sell-by date of December 30, 2022 — the previous day.

She said her brothers — who had a few drinks — were fine to eat the dessert, but she hoped she should get an explanation from Market Basket.

"How do you raise the price like that and feel OK with yourself," said Phoenix.

View Larger +

PHOTO: Facebook

Phoenix said her mother contacted Market Basket's corporate office about what had taken place.

"My mother actually contacted corporate and they said [we would get a] full refund and another cheesecake, but the price going up and the expiration change was a 'mistake,'" said Phoenix.

When asked for comment Monday morning, the Johnston store manager said all press inquiries had to go through corporate.

The store manager directed GoLocal to corporate communications. Corporate did not respond at time of publication.

A public relations firm for the company said she believed it was an "error."

But she could not answer any other questions.